About
50 Degrees North is a Nordic travel specialist designing journeys across Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Svalbard and the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Founded in 2010 by Tietse Stelma and Jayde Kincaid, two adventure travel professionals with deep roots in the Nordic region, 50 Degrees North began as a simple idea: that the north was worth knowing properly, and that the right way to show it was through people who genuinely knew it.
Tietse, a Norwegian living in Melbourne at the time, built the first itineraries by hand, drawing on personal networks across Norway and the wider region that had taken a lifetime to develop. He wanted visitors to experience the authentic North, not just rush between famous landmarks. That same instinct still guides how 50 Degrees North designs travel today.
The company grew through the 2010s, survived a pandemic that stopped the travel industry in its tracks, and rebuilt stronger on the other side. It now operates globally, with headquarters in Øyer, Norway, and offices in Melbourne, Minneapolis and Vancouver. The team includes Nordic natives and regional specialists who work directly with local partners across every destination the company covers.
Read more about the story of how 50 Degrees North began and where it is today.
Our travel standards
50 Degrees North offers several thoughtfully designed travel standards to suit different travellers, from accessible Classic journeys through to our signature Original trips, elevated Premium experiences and fully private Bespoke and Luxury travel.
While the level of comfort and style varies, every journey follows the same philosophy: carefully designed itineraries, strong local partnerships and experiences that connect travellers more deeply with the Nordic region.
To understand the differences between each travel style, including accommodation standards and inclusions, please visit our Tour Standards page.
Why travel with 50 Degrees North?
Nordic expertise you can trust
Our founder, product designers, and many of our Destination Specialists are Nordic natives who know the region first-hand. With deep local knowledge and personal connections across the Nordics, we design journeys that go beyond standard itineraries and reveal the true character of each destination. Our Nordic travel guides and inspiration articles are one expression of that knowledge, covering everything from seasonal planning and Northern Lights timing to destination-specific advice across the full region.
Personal service from start to finish
When you contact us, you speak directly with a Nordic travel specialist who takes the time to understand your interests and preferences. Your itinerary is carefully tailored and refined with you, with support and guidance from the first enquiry through to your return home.
Authentic experiences and distinctive stays
We specialise in thoughtfully designed Nordic journeys that combine iconic landscapes with lesser-known places. From boutique lodges and historic hotels to remote Arctic retreats, our accommodation and experiences are chosen for their character, atmosphere and connection to place.
Strong local partnerships
Our long-standing relationships with local guides, hoteliers and transport providers allow us to work directly with trusted partners across the Nordic region. This ensures smooth logistics, high-quality experiences and competitive pricing without unnecessary intermediaries.
Real-time local knowledge
Because our team works closely with partners across the region, we stay informed about local conditions that can influence a journey. This may include seasonal events, construction works, cruise ship schedules in small fjord villages or alternative routes that help travellers avoid crowds and enjoy quieter experiences.
24-hour support while you travel
Our teams in Europe provide around-the-clock emergency support during your journey. If travel plans change or unexpected situations arise, help is always available from a team that knows the region and your itinerary.
Global team, local presence
50 Degrees North operates from offices in Norway, Melbourne, Minneapolis and Vancouver, allowing us to support travellers across multiple time zones and respond quickly to enquiries from around the world. If you are interested in joining our team, visit our Employment page.
Responsible travel
Responsible tourism is a core part of how we design journeys. As a Certified B Corporation and Travelife Partner, we prioritise local partnerships, thoughtful itinerary design and initiatives that support Nordic communities and ecosystems. Learn more about our approach to sustainable tourism.
We hold ourselves to clear standards in how we represent the places and people we work with. Our ethical marketing guidelines set out those standards, and where we stand against them today.
Our CEO Mari Räsänen has also written about why the decisions specialists make, on routing, suppliers and carbon transparency, matter beyond any single journey: The quiet power of specialist tour operators.
And if you have ever wondered why Nordic cities keep topping global destination rankings, the reasons are worth understanding.
Part of North Travel Group
In July 2025, 50 Degrees North became part of North Travel Group, formed together with Nordic Tours AS through a strategic partnership with Equip Capital. The day-to-day running of 50 Degrees North has not changed: the same team designs and delivers our journeys, with the same focus on local expertise and responsible travel across the Nordic region.
As part of North Travel Group, we report under the Norwegian Transparency Act (Åpenhetsloven). Read the Group's Transparency Act Statement.
Industry accreditation, sustainability certification and trusted partnerships
Accredited travel operator: The Australian entity, 50 Degrees North Pty Ltd, is full participant of the ATIA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATIA) with ATIA Accreditation number; A10454. We are CATO registered Operators and also Virtuoso Preferred Suppliers.
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ATIA (Australian Travel Industry Accreditation Scheme) - ATIA sets the benchmark for professionalism and financial reliability within the Australian travel industry. Accredited members meet strict compliance standards each year. |
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CATO (Council of Australian Tour Operators) - CATO represents leading wholesale tour operators and promotes high standards of professionalism, integrity and customer protection. |
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Virtuoso Preferred Partner - Virtuoso is one of the world’s leading luxury travel networks, connecting travellers with more than 20,000 elite travel advisors across 50 countries. |
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Trusted Fit Services Verified Supplier - Our TFS Verified Supplier status confirms independent verification of our business operations, legal structure, insurance, sustainability practices and industry credentials. |
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Certified B Corporation – B Corp certification recognises businesses that meet verified standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. 50 Degrees North has held certification since 2023. |
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Travelife Partner – Travelife is an internationally recognised sustainability certification system for tour operators and travel agencies, assessing environmental, social and ethical performance across business operations and supply chains. |
Your booking security
When you book a journey with 50 Degrees North, your payments are held in a secure client trust account with a reputable bank, including U.S. Bank, National Australia Bank or DNB in Norway.
These funds remain protected and are only used to pay suppliers for your confirmed travel arrangements. Client funds are never used for day-to-day company operations before travel takes place.
Traveller reviews
You can read independent feedback from travel advisors and travellers who have explored the Nordic region with us:
- Google reviews for 50 Degrees North Ltd, 50 Degrees North Nordic AS, and 50 Degrees North LLC
- Facebook reviews
- Virtuoso reviews
Selection of advisor reviews
Mark Hoyer, Travel Experts:
I had four couples plan a trip to Scandinavia, and I planned it all with 50 Degrees North. My go-to person was Monica in the Vancouver office. The trip was planned for June 17-27, 2026, so they would experience Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Bergen.
Just as the tour was about to complete, one of my clients had an emergency situation that required her to be checked into a local hospital in Bergen for observation, and a medical procedure had to be done on the following Monday. By the time her husband contacted me about what was going on, the 50 Degrees North team had already contacted the hotel to extend the dates on two rooms, for my clients and for her sister and brother-in-law, who decided to stay longer as well for moral support.
The 50 Degrees North team and their after-hours team were more than helpful, getting everything arranged without any problem. My client had the procedure done on June 29 and was discharged from the hospital in time to fly home to the States on July 1.
I felt this particular DMC went above and beyond the call of duty to help my client, and her husband was very happy to have such support from a tour operator in a foreign country. I would not hesitate to use 50 Degrees North in the future and highly recommend them.
Carina Tanna, Mary Rossi Travel:
I recently approached 50 Degrees North for assistance with a bespoke tour of Norway, including time spent in Stockholm beforehand and Copenhagen afterwards.
The clients had requested tour arrangements including experiences that were authentic, and accommodations with a sense of place: either unique or luxurious where appropriate. Incorporating their interests in history, local culture, food and wine with a degree of activity was also necessary.
The tour created by the 50 Degrees North specialist and undertaken by the clients was a very successful one. Accommodation highlights included the Grand Hotel Stockholm, the unique 29/2 Aurland boutique hotel and 71 Nyhavn Hotel Copenhagen. The arranged private guided tours catered to the clients’ interests, including a Nordic Food Walk in Stockholm, and a tour to Hamlet’s Castle and Helsingør Town by train in Copenhagen.
I have no hesitation in recommending 50 Degrees North, and I look forward to working with them again soon.
Lillian Hocevar, Founder of Hilltop Travel Co:
Working with 50 Degrees North was nothing short of exceptional. My clients traveled through Scandinavia for over three weeks, and the 50 Degrees North team created a bespoke itinerary through Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark that left them in awe.
I have been working with this couple for five years, and local, authentic, high-attention-to-detail experiences are of the utmost importance to them. 50 Degrees North presented an itinerary quickly and it required very few edits. They thoughtfully reviewed the clients' preferences and went as far as arranging a private anniversary boat trip through the fjords filled with special surprises.
I truly appreciated the collaboration and partnership with 50 Degrees North. Their expertise was invaluable in guiding me to advise my clients on what was a logistically complex trip.
I look forward to working with you all again soon!